Nov. 4
November 4, 2008
Roger "Jay" Rebstock
November 6, 2008“Experience Counts” proved to be a persuasive argument as Thibodaux voters sided with Republican Lloyd “Chip” Badeaux to fill the vacant councilman-at-large D seat.
Badeaux will fill the remaining two years of the at-large seat that was held by Jerome “Dee” Richard, who is now the District 55 state representative.
An official swearing-in date has yet to be announced.
Thibodaux voters decided to go with the more experienced politician, despite Republican Beau Brooks, a first-time candidate, taking home more votes in the October election.
Tuesday night as the votes rolled in, Badeaux netted 50.7 percent (2,976) of the city’s votes, while Brooks garnered 49.2 percent (2,890 votes).
“This was a tough race,” Badeaux said from his home shortly after the last precinct’s votes were tallied and he was named the definitive winner. “I had an opportunity to meet Mr. Brooks and his family and I would say that they ran a very successful campaign.”
However, Badeaux believes Brooks’ fell short because of his inexperience.
“I think the people chose me because I told them specific things that I wanted to do for the community,” he said. “Mr. Brooks didn’t elaborate on what he called ‘improving the quality of life for Thibodaux residents.'”
To his credit, Badeaux authored and introduced Thibodaux’s sign ordinance, which helped to rezone the city, during his 12-year stint from 1999 to 2002 as a city councilman. He also helped to create the Glenwild Extension, which was part of the infrastructure in Thibodaux.
“I have a proven track record of what I have already accomplished,” he said. “The last time I was on the council, I asked councilmembers to create a wish list of what they thought was needed in their districts. And, just like anything else in business and in life, if you set goals and write them down, then you have something to shoot for.”
Badeaux said Tuesday night he intends to let the vote sink in before developing an agenda for the city.
“I have always been very proactive and I will continue to come up with ideas and different things that I feel that are necessary in the community,” he said. “I will push and work with the council to get the support that I need and the funding that I need to get the project accomplished.”
In other measures, Golden Meadow voters approved three measures by an overwhelming margin.
The first authorizes the sale of assets and grant franchises; the second surrenders powers of supervision. An 8-mill tax for Fire Protection Distrct No. 3 was approved as was a $1.6 million bond measure for District No. 5.
